Automated method and system for predicting high resolution tidal heights and currents in coastal zones

ABSTRACT

System and method for automatically and regularly predicting water level and currents in coastal areas, without operator intervention. The system and method can enable automated operational forecasts at regular time intervals without operator intervention by using a grid and a computer forecast model that allows accurate prediction of tidal heights and currents in complex shoreline and bathymetry regions, single or parallel processing capability, optimal available processor assignment based on the size of computing domain, standard and other tidal database forcing in the open boundary, missing data gap-filling, and wind, bathymetry, and model-derived boundary condition model integration.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a continuation of U.S. patent Application Ser. No.13/243,639 entitled AUTOMATED METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PREDICTING HIGHRESOLUTION TIDAL HEIGHTS AND CURRENTS IN COASTAL ZONES, filed on Sep.23, 2011, which is a nonprovisional application of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/391,289 filed on Oct. 8, 2010, under 35 USC119(e), the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

Methods and systems disclosed herein relate generally to automatedforecasting, and specifically to automated forecasting of tidal heightsand currents in coastal regions.

Accurate prediction of water levels and currents in coastal areas iscritical to the success of various oceanographic operations such as, forexample, but not limited to, navigation, amphibious landing, minewarfare and Navy SEAL missions. Some existing coastal forecastingmethods can be time-consuming and labor-intensive because model-relatedtasks and functions require human interactions. What is needed is anautomated system to predict high resolution water level and currents atseveral geographic locations to support activities such as, for example,but not limited to, resource management, navigation safety, facility andstructure planning, search and rescue, decision making, and recreationalactivities, as well as the earlier mentioned U.S. Navy-relatedoperations.

SUMMARY

The system and method of the present embodiment can automatically andregularly predict water level and currents in coastal areas, withoutoperator intervention. The system and method can enable, but are notlimited to enabling, automated operational forecasts at regular timeintervals without operator intervention by using a computer forecastmodel that allows accurate prediction of tidal heights and currents incomplex shoreline and bathymetry regions, single or parallel processingcapability, optimal available processor assignment based on the size ofthe computing domain, standard and other tidal database forcing forwater surface elevation boundary conditions, missing data gap-filling,and river discharge data, wind, bathymetry, and model-derived boundarycondition model integration.

The method of the present embodiment for predicting tidal heights andcurrents using an automated forecast model can include, but is notlimited to including, the steps of receiving processing options,automatically creating necessary directories and preparing/updatinginput files based on the processing options. Databases can include, butare not limited to including, grid database, global bathymetry database,global shoreline database, and global tidal database. The method cangenerate a wind field and then interpolated wind fields, and thus,fort.22 data, from, for example, but not limited to, the U.S. Navy'sCoupled Ocean Atmospheric Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS®) model orthe U.S. Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS)model. The method can generate grid data from a global bathymetrydatabase and a global shoreline database. The method can receive aglobal tidal database and process tidal potential, specify harmonicconstituents and tide boundary conditions to be included in fort.15data. The method can create a grid for the model domain, and thus,fort.14 data, based on either a software-generated grid or a griddatabase. The method can create, prepare, and process such data filesas, for example, but not limited to, fort.15, fort.14, fort.20, andfort.22 data for parallel computation, and can execute a two-dimensional(2D) or three-dimensional (3D) barotropic hydrodynamic model such as,for example, but not limited to, the Advanced Circulation Model forShelves, Coastal Seas, and Estuaries (ADCIRC) model to produce, forexample, but not limited to fort.61, fort.62, fort.63, and fort.64displayed, plotted, and archived data.

The system of the present embodiment for predicting tidal heights andcurrents using an automated forecast model can include, but is notlimited to including, a forecast model input creation processor using ageneric file and input parameters to produce a grid having data requiredfor the forecast model, a tidal heights and currents predictionprocessor using a forecast domain to produce water cells and riverdischarge data, an execution time optimization processor using aforecast model identification and a forecast period to produce optimizedinput files for the forecast model, a reliability/stability processorusing the forecast model ID, an execution ID, and the optimized inputfiles to calculate storage space and access and include interpolated andresulting data from previous model executions, and a forecast modelprocessor providing the grid, the water cells, the river discharge datathe optimized input files, the storage space and the resulting data fromprevious model executions, to the forecast model which produces aforecast of tidal heights and currents, the forecast being stored on acomputer-readable medium. The forecast model input creation processorcan include, but is not limited to including, a generic file processorcreating at least one generic electronic file having information relatedto the forecast, the generic file processor accepting input parametersrelated to the forecast, the generic file processor updating the atleast one electronic generic file based on the input parameters, arequired data processor collecting required data related to the forecastmodel based on the at least one updated generic file, and a gridprocessor accessing a grid related to the forecast, the grid processormapping the required data into the grid, the grid processor providingthe grid to the forecast model processor. The required data processorgenerates a wind field and interpolating the wind field to createfort.22 data, generates grid data from a global bathymetry database anda global shoreline database, prepares tide boundary conditions and tidalpotential, including fort.15 data, based on a tidal database, andcreates a grid and fort.14 data based on either the grid data or a griddatabase. The tidal heights and currents prediction processor caninclude, but is not limited to including, a data structure finderdetermining a data structure associated with a forecast domain, a riverproximity processor automatically locating at least one water cell inthe data structure, the data structure being coincident with a river, ifa river is located within the forecast domain, or automatically locatingthe water cell in the data structure having a predetermined water depthand being near the river; a flow rate processor determining riverdischarge flow rate of the water cell, the flow rate processorconverting the flow rate into river discharge data; and a forecast modelprocessor incorporating the water cell and the river discharge data intothe forecast model. The execution time optimization processor caninclude, but is not limited to including, a CPU locator automaticallydetermining an available number of computer processors available forexecuting the forecasting model, an execution time processorautomatically estimating the execution time required to execute theforecasting model on the computer processors based on the availablenumber and the forecast period, an alternatives processor automaticallyexecuting an alternative procedure if the execution time is larger thanthe forecast period, a domain processor automatically partitioning adomain of the forecasting model based on the available number, an inputfile processor automatically preparing input files for the forecastingmodel based on the available number, and a forecast model processorautomatically initiating the forecasting model on the computerprocessors based on the input files, the forecast period, and thedomain, the forecast model processor automatically receiving a forecastover the forecast period from the forecasting model, the forecast modelprocessor automatically providing the forecast to a computer-readablemedium. The reliability/stability processor can include, but is notlimited to including, a storage space processor estimating requiredstorage space of a pre-selected execution of the forecast model, thestorage space processor determining available storage space for a futureexecution of the forecast model by comparing the estimated requiredstorage space to available space in the computer system, the storagespace processor accessing additional storage space and providing theadditional storage space to the forecasting model if the availablestorage space does not accommodate the forecast model, an interpolatorproviding needed data to the forecast model processor based on spatialand temporal interpolation of current data if current spatial andtemporal data are available, and a previous model execution dataprocessor providing the needed data to the forecast model processorbased on resulting data from previous model executions for a maximum oftwo iterations of the forecast model if current spatial and temporaldata are not available. Accessing additional storage space can beaccomplished by, for example, but not limited to, compressinginformation, eliminating information, and awaiting the freeing ofstorage space.

The computer readable medium of the present embodiment for predictingtidal heights and currents using an automated forecast model caninclude, but is not limited to including, computer code executing thesteps of receiving processing options, automatically creatingdirectories and preparing/updating input files based on the processingoptions, automatically calculating water cells and river discharge databased on the input files, automatically optimizing the input files forforecast model execution, automatically preparing reliability/stabilityinformation based on the forecast model, automatically preparing thewater cells, river discharge data, optimized input files, andreliability/stability information as prepared input to the forecastmodel, automatically providing the prepared input to the forecast model,automatically receiving a forecast from the forecast model, the forecastbased on the prepared data, and automatically providing the forecast toa computer readable medium. The computer code executing the step ofautomatically creating directories can include, but is not limited toincluding, the steps of creating at least one generic electronic filehaving information related to the forecast, accepting input parametersrelated to the forecast, updating the at least one electronic genericfile based on the input parameters, collecting required data related tothe forecast model based on the at least one updated generic file,accessing a grid related to the forecast, mapping the required data intothe grid, and providing the grid to the forecast model. The computercode executing the step of calculating water cells and river dischargedata can include, but is not limited to including, the steps ofdetermining a data structure associated with a domain of the forecast,if a river is located within the domain, automatically locating thewater cells in the data structure coincident with the river, ifpossible, or automatically locating the water cells in the datastructure, the water cells having predetermined water depths and beingnear the river, determining river discharge flow rates of the watercells, and converting the flow rates into river discharge data. Thecomputer code executing the step of preparing optimized input files caninclude, but is not limited to including, the steps of automaticallydetermining an available number of computer processors available forexecuting the forecast model, the forecast model having a forecastperiod, automatically estimating the execution time required to executethe forecast model on the computer processors based on the availablenumber and the forecast period, automatically executing an alternativeprocedure if the execution time is larger than the forecast period,automatically partitioning a domain of the forecasting model based onthe available number, and automatically optimizing the input files basedon the available number. The computer code executing the step ofautomatically preparing reliability/stability information further caninclude, but is not limited to including, the steps of estimatingrequired storage space of a pre-selected execution of the forecastmodel, determining available storage space for a future execution of theforecast model by comparing the estimated required storage space toavailable space in the computer system, accessing additional storagespace and providing the additional storage space to the forecastingmodel if the available storage space does not accommodate the forecastmodel, if current spatial and temporal data are available, providingneeded data to the forecast model based on spatial and temporalinterpolation of current data, and if current spatial and temporal dataare not available, providing the needed data to the forecast model basedon resulting data from previous model executions for a maximum of twoiterations of the forecast model.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This patent or application file contains at least one drawing executedin color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication withcolor drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and paymentof the necessary fee.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the prior art inputs and outputsto an exemplary forecast model;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the data flow between forecastmodels of the present teachings;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the components, functions, anddata of the prediction system of the present teachings;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart/data flow of the components of an embodiment ofthe system of the present teachings;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of the tidal heights and currentsprediction system of the present teachings;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of the forecast model input creationsystem of the present teachings;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the method of the river discharge data forcingsystem of the present teachings;

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of the river discharge data forcingsystem of the present teachings;

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of the execution time optimizationsystem of the present teachings;

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of the reliability/stability systemof the present teachings;

FIG. 11 is a pictorial view of an ocean model bathymetric databaseproduct created according to the present teachings;

FIG. 12 is a pictorial view of the product of FIG. 11 expanded accordingto the present teachings;

FIG. 13 is a pictorial view of the water elevation product createdaccording to the present teachings;

FIG. 14 is a pictorial view of the current velocity product createdaccording to the present teachings;

FIG. 15 is a time series product of water elevation created according tothe present teachings; and

FIG. 16 is a time series product of current velocity created accordingto the present teachings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The problems set forth above as well as further and other problems aresolved by the present teachings. These solutions and other advantagesare achieved by the various embodiments of the teachings describedherein below.

Referring now to FIG. 1 (Prior Art), in the prior art, inputs to ADCIRCcoastal circulation model 51 can include interpolated boundary andforcing parameters 61, bathymetry and grid information 63, andinterpolated meteorological forcing data 65. Interpolated boundaryforcing parameters 61 can be supplied in a common format by model set-upgraphical user interface 60 which can be fed by boundary conditions(BCS) 53. Bathymetry and grid information 63 can be supplied in a commonformat by mesh generation capability 56, which can be fed by grid data57. Interpolated meteorological forcing data 65 can be supplied by andblended 54 into a common format by meteorological data sources 67 suchas, for example, the COAMPS® model and the NOGAPS model. Data producedby ADCIRC 51 and high performance computer (HPC) 68 can be plotted,disseminated, and archived 69.

Referring now to FIG. 2, present forecast models can be adapted andmodified to compute timely forecasts in varying geographies. Forexample, the U.S. Navy requires a relocatable, robust operationalcoastal forecast system. A relocatable system is a system that can bemoved to different geographic regions or scales easily, with minimalchanges in computer forecast model configuration. Forecasts of currents13 can be based on ocean models 11 and tide models 15. However, incoastal and shallow regions, an automated relocatable coastal modelingsystem is needed that has the capability to make accurate forecasts ofwater level 17 (also shown in water level time series 23) and currents13 based on meteorological model 19, ocean model 11, and bathymetry data21. The system and method of the present embodiment can be used totransition a coastal circulation model into an operational environmentby automating tasks of the forecast run stream such as initial setup,acquisition of forcing data, model configuration, and post-processing.In operational environments, operators may have limited time to set-upand configure models in a new region and make predictions to supportmissions. Therefore, the capability of the system and method of thepresent embodiment to configure the forecast model quickly allows forautomatically generated model simulations and predictions with minimalhuman intervention. The system and method of the present embodiment canresolve open boundary specifications and provide timely grid generationfor models. With respect to timely grid generation, the grids forseveral strategic geographic regions are generated in advance and storedin a grid database, and the system and method of the present embodimentcan incorporate a grid generation tool for areas not available in thedatabase. The system and method of the present embodiment can alsoincorporate surface forcing, meteorological wind, and atmosphericpressure fields provided by a mesoscale meteorological model such as,for example, but not limited to, the COAMPS® software. In the presentembodiment, scripting programs can be used to integrate individualmodeling components such as, but not limited to, meteorological model19, tide model 15, and coastal ocean model 11 to automate tasks such ascreating and configuring model input files, acquiring surfaceatmospheric forcing data and open boundary tidal information, checkingmodel run status, reporting model run status, post-processing andmapping final products. In the present embodiment, coastal ocean model11 can include an unstructured grid system that allows modeling complexcoastal regions at fine spatial scale. The core coastal circulationmodel in the system, for example, is the three-dimensional,finite-element based hydrodynamic model ADCIRC. ADCIRC uses anunstructured grid that allows modeling complex coastal regions at a finespatial scale. With properly specified topography/bathymetry,meteorological forcing, tidal potential and boundary forcing, this modelcan accurately simulate water levels 17 (see also water level timeseries 23), currents 13, and consequently the area of inundation due towind, tides, or other forcing. In the present embodiment, coastal oceanmodel 11 can be parallelized using, for example, but not limited to, theMessage Passing Interface (MPI) protocol and metis domain partitioningsoftware. The code structure of the present embodiment can be, but isnot limited to being, modular with individual subroutines containingglobal dimensioning, cold and hot start initialization, parameterspecification, wind forcing, harmonic analysis, two- orthree-dimensional calculations, and the main time stepping loop.Furthermore, the code can be multi-algorithmic with options forselecting various implementations of, for example, but not limited to,the conservative or nonconservative Generalized Wave Continuity Equation(GWCE) and/or momentum equation formulations.

The system of the present embodiment can use a database concept to makeavailable pre-existing unstructured meshes for the coastal circulationmodel. Spatially varying, high resolution finite element grids can beused by the coastal circulation model to represent complex coastalregions. In the database concept, grids for several preselected regionscan be created and stored in the database. In addition, a gridgeneration and editing tool, such as, for example, the tool described inUnited States Patent Publication 2010/0094597, and incorporated hereinin its entirety by reference, can be included in the system to allowcreation of grids for areas not available in the existing grid database.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the system and method of the present embodimentcan be implemented by, for example, but not limited to, shell scripts,awk scripts, Perl programs, C programs, Fortran programs and third-partysoftware. Each program can be designed to serve a specific purpose oraccomplish a particular task. Programs and scripts can be grouped into,for example, but not limited to, five modules according to theirfunctions: 1) system setup 31, 2) data acquisition 33, 3) modelconfiguration 35, 4) model run 37, and 5) output product generation anddissemination/output 39. Scripts and modules can be designed to bemanually invoked from the command line if errors are found or if ascheduled task is not completed. Thus manual processing can beaccommodated if, for example, input files 41 at the time of executionare missing or incomplete. System setup 31 can set up the operatingsystem's environmental variables, create proper file directorystructures, and initialize starting and ending timestamps.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 3, data acquisition 33 can collect andprocess incoming data for the modeling system. Data acquisition 33 can,for example, but not limited to, download data from remote servers andconvert the data into input files 41 that are compatible with the oceancirculation model. Such files can include, but are not limited toincluding, meteorological wind forcing, and open boundary tidalinformation. As an example, the u- and v-components of wind velocity andthe pressure fields can be extracted from the Western Pacific region(W_PAC) COAMPS® standard 27-km data at 3-hr intervals. As a furtherexample, an option for accepting nested high resolution COAMPS® fields(9-km or 3-km) can be provided. Data acquisition 33 can interpolateinput files 41 to create spatially and temporally appropriate andcontinuous high resolution meteorological fields. After the unstructuredmesh is finalized, data acquisition 33 can extract and save locations ofmesh nodes that can be used to identify exact locations of parameters ofinterest for the analysis time and forecasts desired. The locations canbe saved in, for example, but not limited to, an ASCII text file. Thesedata can be used to provide, for example, surface elevation and normalriver discharge data boundary conditions for ocean circulation modelforcing.

Continuing further to refer to FIG. 3, model configuration 35 cancreate, but is not limited to creating, ocean circulation model inputfiles 41, for example, but not limited to, a grid/bathymetry file (e.g.fort.14 and FIGS. 11 and 12), a model parameter file (e.g. fort.15),river discharge data boundary forcing file (e.g. fort.20), and a surfacemeteorological forcing file (e.g. fort.22). In addition, modelconfiguration 35 can prepare the model for execution and process dataresulting from the model execution. In an exemplary embodiment, agrid/bathymetry file can be copied from a grid database to the localdirectory and renamed fort.14 to interface directly with oceancirculation model input file units. Fort.15 includes model configurationand parameter information. Fixed parameters can be saved in a templatefile (e.g. fort.15) while run-specific variables such as starting time,run period or user specified parameters can be appended to the templatefile. In the exemplary embodiment, fort.15 can be updated for eachsimulation, and fort.22 can be created based the data interpolated fromaggregated wind data.

Continuing to further refer to FIG. 3, model run 37 can prepare softwarethat causes the model to execute on parallel processors, can preparesoftware that performs domain partitioning, can create sub-directoriesbased on the number of parallel processors, and can copy files todirectories based on the partitioning. Model run 37 can further causethe model to be executed in parallel using, for example, but not limitedto, the MPI or OpenMPI implementation. Model run 37 can put allregionalized output from the model into global files, and can createdefault input template files that can be used to run the model in anautomated batch mode or interactively in the case where the hardwareplatform or the number of processors needs to be changed.

Continuing to still further refer to FIG. 3, model run 37 can receiveinformation from model configuration 35 and can execute the model,possibly on a separate hardware processor from any or all of systemsetup 31, data acquisition 33, model configuration 35, and productoutput 39. Product output 39 can generate, disseminate, and archive mapproducts and model outputs. Product output 39 can invoke software andmapping routines based on user preferences. Product output 39 canprovide map products to, for example, but not limited to, a web serverand the Internet for the end user use. Mapped products can include, butare not limited to including, graphical maps of forecast wind fields(speed and directions), water elevations in contours (e.g. FIG. 13) andcurrents with arrows showing directions, and color coding indicatingmagnitudes (e.g. FIG. 14). Time series of water levels (e.g. FIG. 15)and currents (e.g. FIG. 16) at specific locations can also be produced.Statistical metrics such as root mean square error (RSME), mean absoluteerror (MAE), correlation coefficient (R), and standard deviation (SD)can be computed based on user preferences.

Referring now to FIG. 4, method 150 for predicting tidal heights andcurrents using an automated forecast model can include, but is notlimited to including, the steps of receiving 71 processing options,automatically creating 73 necessary directories and preparing/updatinginput files based on the processing options. Databases can include, butare not limited to including, grid database 55, global bathymetrydatabase 21, global shoreline database 52, and global tidal database 14.Method 150 can generate a meteorological data 67 and interpolated windfields 62, and thus, fort.22 data, from, for example, but not limitedto, the COAMPS® model or the NOGAPS model. Method 150 can generate griddata 59 from global bathymetry database 21 and global shoreline database52. Method 150 can process global tidal database 14 to prepare tideboundary conditions and tidal potential 16 including fort.15 data.Method 150 can create model domain grid 64, and thus, fort.14 data,based on either grid generated data 59 or grid database 55, and cancreate river flow river discharge data 66, and thus fort.15 data. Method150 can process 75, for example, but not limited to, fort.15, fort.14,fort.20, and fort.22 data for parallel computation, and can execute 77 a2D or 3D barotropic hydrodynamic model such as, for example, but notlimited to ADCIRC to produce, for example, but not limited to fort.61,fort.62, fort.63, and fort.64 displayed products 79, plotted products81, internet 80 products, and archived input data and products 83.

Referring now to FIG. 5, prediction system 100 for preparing forexecution of forecast model 113 can include, but is not limited toincluding, forecast model input creation processor 300 (see FIG. 6) forusing generic file 302 and input parameters 310 to produce grid 308having the needed data. System 100 can also include tidal heights andcurrents prediction processor 250 (see FIG. 8) for using geographicdomain 104 to produce water cell 106 and river discharge data 108.System 100 can also include execution time optimization processor 200(see FIG. 9) for using forecast model identification (ID) 202 andforecast period 206 to produce input files 212. System 100 can stillfurther include reliability/stability processor 400 (see FIG. 10) forusing forecast model ID 202, execution ID 404, and model input data 406to produce storage space 410, interpolated data 408A and resulting datafrom previous model executions 408B. System 100 can also includeforecast model processor 111 for receiving what each stated componentproduces and passing those inputs to forecast model 113 which producesforecast 114 that is stored as forecast products 116 and provided to theuser.

Referring now to FIG. 6, forecast model input creation processor 300 forcreating input for forecast model 113 can include, but is not limited toincluding, generic file processor 301 for creating at least one genericelectronic file 302 having electronic information related to forecast114, accepting input parameters 310 related to forecast 114, andupdating at least one generic electronic file 302 based on inputparameters 310. Forecast model input creation processor 300 can alsoinclude required data processor 303 for collecting needed data 306related to automated forecast model 113 based on the at least oneupdated generic electronic file 304. Forecast model input creationprocessor 300 can further include grid processor 305 for accessing agrid related to forecast 114, and mapping needed data 306 to into thegrid. Forecast model input creation processor 300 can also includeforecast model processor 111 for providing grid with needed data 308 toautomatic forecast model 113, receiving forecast 114 from automaticforecast model 113, and providing forecast 114 to a computer readablemedium such as, for example, forecast products 116 and in user-formattedform.

Corresponding to forecast model input creation processor 300 of FIG. 6,a method for creating input to an automated forecasting model forpreparing a forecast can include, but is not limited to including, thesteps of creating at least one generic electronic file having electronicinformation related to the forecast, accepting input parameters relatedto the forecast, updating the at least one generic electronic file basedon the input parameters, collecting required data related to theautomated forecast model based on the at least one updated genericelectronic file, accessing a grid related to the forecast, mapping therequired data to into the grid, and providing the grid to the automaticforecasting model.

Referring now to FIG. 7, method 160 for predicting river discharge dataforcing using an automated forecast model can include, but is notlimited to including, the step of determining 161 a data structureassociated with a forecast domain. If 163 a river is located within theforecast domain, and if 165 it is possible to locate a water cell in thedata structure coincident with the river, method 160 can automaticallylocate 167 a water cell in the data structure coincident with the river.If 165 it is not possible to locate a water cell in the data structurecoincident with the river, method 160 can automatically locate 169 thewater cell in the data structure having a predetermined water depth andbeing near the river. Method 160 can further determine 171 a riverdischarge flow rate and distribute to the water cells, convert 173 theflow rate into river discharge data, incorporate 175 the water cells andthe river discharge data into the automated forecast model, and predict177 tidal heights and currents using the automated forecast model.

Referring now to FIG. 8, one requirement in developing an operationalmodeling system is to automate routine tasks as much as possible whilestill maintaining system flexibility and allowing manual override. Tomeet this requirement, the system and method of the present embodimentintegrate individual modeling components and automate tasks such asconfiguring model input files, acquiring surface wind forcing data andopen boundary tidal information, checking model run status, reportingmodel run status, post-processing and mapping final products. Inparticular, several aspects of the system, depicted in FIGS. 6, 8, 9,and 10, have been automated to supply the forecasting model with timelyrelevant data. FIG. 8 depicts river discharge data forcing system 250for providing river discharge data forcing to an automated forecastmodel. River discharge data forcing system 250 can include, but is notlimited to, including data structure finder 101 for determining datastructure 102 associated with geographic domain 104. River dischargedata forcing system 250 can also include river proximity processor 103for determining if a river is located within geographic domain 104, andif it is possible to locate a water cell in data structure 102 that iscoincident with the river. River proximity processor 103 canautomatically locate water cell 106 in data structure 102 coincidentwith the river. If it is not possible to locate water cell 106 in datastructure 102 coincident with the river, river proximity processor 103can automatically locate water cell 106 in data structure 102 having apredetermined water depth and being near the river. River discharge dataforcing system 250 can further include flow rate processor 105 fordetermining a river discharge flow rate of water cell 106 and convertthe flow rate into river discharge data 108. River discharge dataforcing system 250 can still further include forecast model processor111 for incorporating water cell 106 and river discharge data 108 intoautomated forecast model data, and providing automated forecast modeldata to forecast model 113. Forecast model processor 111 can receive,from forecast model 113, tidal heights and currents forecast 114, andprovide forecast 114 to forecast products 116 and as user-formattedforecasts.

Referring now to FIG. 9, execution time optimization system 200optimizing execution time of a forecasting model having a forecastperiod can include, but is not limited to including, Central ProcessingUnit (CPU) locator 201 for automatically determining an available CPUnumber 204, the number of CPUs available for executing forecast model113 having forecast model ID 202 during forecast period 206. Executiontime optimization system 200 can also include execution time processor203 for automatically estimating the execution time 208 required toexecute forecast model 113 on the CPUs based on available number of CPUs204 and forecast period 206. Execution time optimization system 200 canalso include alternatives processor 205 for automatically executing analternative procedure if execution time 208 is larger than forecastperiod 206. Execution time optimization system 200 can still furtherinclude domain processor 207 for automatically partitioning domain 210of forecast model 113 based on available number 204. Execution timeoptimization system 200 can also include input file processor 209 forautomatically preparing input files 212 for forecast model 113 based onavailable number of CPUs 204. Execution time optimization system 200 canalso include forecast model processor 211 for automatically initiatingforecast model 113 on the CPUs based on input files 212, forecast period206, and domain 210. Forecast model processor 111 can also automaticallyreceive forecast 114 over forecast period 206 from forecast model 113,and can automatically provide forecast 114 to a computer-readable mediumsuch as, for example, forecast products 116 and as a user-formattedforecast.

Corresponding to execution time optimization system 200 of FIG. 9, amethod for optimizing execution time of a forecasting model having aforecast period can include, but is not limited to including, the stepsof (a) automatically determining an available number of CPUs availablefor executing the forecasting model, (b) automatically estimating theexecution time required to execute the forecasting model on the CPUsbased on the available number of CPUs and the forecast period, (c)automatically executing an alternative procedure if the execution timeis larger than the forecast period, (d) automatically partitioning adomain of the forecasting model based on the available number of CPUs,(e) automatically preparing input files to the forecasting model basedon the available number of CPUs, (f) automatically initiating theforecasting model on the CPUs based on the input files, the forecastperiod, and the domain, (g) automatically receiving a forecast over theforecast period from the forecasting model, and (h) automaticallyproviding the forecast to a computer-readable medium. The alternativeprocedure can include, but is not limited to including, the step ofrepeating steps (a), (b), and (c). The alternative procedure caninclude, but is not limited to including, the steps of waiting for apre-selected amount of time, and repeating steps (a), (b), and (c). Themethod can optionally include the steps of receiving selection of aregion associated with the forecast, retrieving a grid associated withthe region if the grid is available, creating the grid if the grid isnot available, and providing the grid to the forecasting model. Themethod can further optionally include the step of creating input to aforecasting model for preparing a forecast including, but not limitedto, the steps of creating at least one generic file having informationrelated to the forecast, accepting input parameters related to theforecast, updating the at least one generic file based on the inputparameters, collecting required data related to the forecast model basedon the at least one updated generic file, accessing a grid related tothe forecast, mapping the required data onto the grid; and providing thegrid to the forecasting model. The method can further optionally includethe step of enabling automatic reliability and stability in theforecasting model executing in a computer system including the steps ofestimating required storage space of a pre-selected execution of theforecasting model, determining available storage space for a futureexecution of the forecasting model by comparing the estimated requiredstorage space to available space in the computer system, receivinginstructions for accessing additional storage space and providing theadditional storage space to the forecasting model if the availablestorage space does not accommodate the forecasting model, if currentspatial and temporal data are available, providing data to theforecasting model based on spatial and temporal interpolation of data,and if current spatial and temporal data are not available, providingthe data to the forecasting model based on resulting data from previousmodel executions for a maximum of two iterations of the forecastingmodel.

Referring now to FIG. 10, reliability/stability processor 400 forenabling automatic reliability and stability in an automated forecastingmodel executing in a computer system can include, but is not limited toincluding, storage space processor 401 for estimating required storagespace of a pre-selected execution ID 404 of automated forecast model113, determining available storage space for a future execution ofautomated forecast model 113 by comparing the estimated required storagespace to available space in the computer system, and accessingadditional storage space 410 and providing additional storage space 410to automated forecast model 113 if the available storage space does notaccommodate automated forecast model 113. Reliability/stabilityprocessor 400 can also include interpolator 403 for providing missingdata to automated forecast model 113 based on spatial and temporalinterpolation of current data, if current spatial and temporal data areavailable. Reliability/stability processor 400 can further includeresulting data from previous model executions processor 405 forproviding the missing data to automated forecast model 113 based onresulting data from previous model executions for a maximum of twoiterations of automated forecast model 113 if current spatial andtemporal data are not available. Reliability/stability processor 400 canfurther include forecast model processor 111 and either interpolateddata 408A or resulting data from previous model executions 408B, andproviding them to automated forecast model 113. Forecast model processor111 can also receive forecast 114 from automatic forecast model 113, andprovide forecast 114 to a computer readable medium such as, for example,forecast products 116 and in user-formatted form.

Corresponding to reliability/stability processor 400 of FIG. 10, amethod for enabling automatic reliability and stability in an automatedforecasting model executing in a computer system can include, but is notlimited to including, the steps of estimating required storage space ofa pre-selected execution of the automated forecasting model, determiningavailable storage space for a future execution of the automatedforecasting model by comparing the estimated required storage space toavailable space in the computer system, receiving instructions foraccessing additional storage space and providing the additional storagespace to the automated forecasting model if the available storage spacedoes not accommodate the automated forecasting model, if current spatialand temporal data are available, providing data to the automatedforecasting model based on spatial and temporal interpolation of currentdata, and if current spatial and temporal data are not available,providing the data to the automated forecasting model based oninterpolated or resulting data from previous model executions for amaximum of two iterations of the automated forecasting model.

Referring now primarily to FIGS. 11 and 12, finite element grid 412having 26,752 nodes, 49,313 elements, and a 600 m finest spatialresolution is shown (FIG. 11) and expanded 414 (FIG. 12) depictingbathymetric data 413 from bathymetric database 21 (FIG. 2) as a productof the embodiments of the present teachings. FIG. 11 showstopography/bathymetry scale 411.

Referring now to FIG. 13, water elevation 415 in meters for Sep. 1,2010, is shown as a product of the embodiments of the present teachings.

Referring now to FIG. 14, current velocity 416 in meters/second on Sep.1, 2010, is shown as a product of the embodiments of the presentteachings.

Referring now to FIG. 15, water elevation time series 417 from Sep. 1,2010-Sep. 3, 2010, is shown as a product of the present teachings.

Referring now to FIG. 16, current velocity time series 418 from Sep. 1,2010-Sep. 3, 2010, is shown as a product of the present teachings.

Embodiments of the present teachings are directed to computer systemsfor accomplishing the methods discussed in the description herein, andto computer readable media containing programs for accomplishing thesemethods. The raw data and results can be stored for future retrieval andprocessing, printed, displayed, transferred to another computer, and/ortransferred elsewhere. Communications links can be wired or wireless,for example, using cellular communication systems, militarycommunications systems, and satellite communications systems. In anexemplary embodiment, the software for the system is written in Fortranand C. The system operates on a computer having a variable number ofCPUs. Other alternative computer platforms can be used. The operatingsystem can be, for example, but is not limited to, WINDOWS® or LINUX®.

The present embodiment is also directed to software for accomplishingthe methods discussed herein, and computer readable media storingsoftware for accomplishing these methods. The various modules describedherein can be accomplished on the same CPU, or can be accomplished on adifferent computer. In compliance with the statute, the presentembodiment has been described in language more or less specific as tostructural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however,that the present embodiment is not limited to the specific featuresshown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferredforms of putting the present embodiment into effect.

Referring again primarily to FIGS. 4 and 7, methods 150 and 160 can be,in whole or in part, implemented electronically. Signals representingactions taken by elements of system 100 and other disclosed embodimentscan travel over at least one live communications network. Control anddata information can be electronically executed and stored on at leastone computer-readable medium. The system can be implemented to executeon at least one computer node in at least one live communicationsnetwork. Common forms of at least one computer-readable medium caninclude, for example, but not be limited to, a floppy disk, a flexibledisk, a hard disk, magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, acompact disk read only memory or any other optical medium, punchedcards, paper tape, or any other physical medium with patterns of holes,a random access memory, a programmable read only memory, and erasableprogrammable read only memory (EPROM), a Flash EPROM, or any othermemory chip or cartridge, or any other medium from which a computer canread. Further, the at least one computer readable medium can containgraphs in any form including, but not limited to, Graphic InterchangeFormat (GIF), Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG), Portable NetworkGraphics (PNG), Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG), and Tagged Image FileFormat (TIFF).

Although the present teachings have been described with respect tovarious embodiments, it should be realized these teachings are alsocapable of a wide variety of further and other embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. An automatic method for predicting tidal heightsand currents using an automated forecast model comprising: accessing, bya specially programmed computer, processing options; automaticallylocating, by the specially programmed computer, at least one water celland at least one river based on the processing options; automaticallydetermining river discharge data for the at least one water cell,including: determining a domain of a forecast; if one of the at leastone river is located within the domain, automatically locating the atleast one water cell in the domain coincident with the one of the atleast one river, if possible, or automatically locating the at least onewater cell in the domain, the at least one water cell having apredetermined water depth and being near the one of the at least oneriver; and automatically calculating river discharge flow rates for theat least one water cell; automatically providing, by the speciallyprogrammed computer, the at least one water cell, the river dischargedata, and the processing options, to the forecast model, andautomatically receiving a forecast from the forecast model based on theat least one water cell, the river discharge data, and the processingoptions;
 2. The method as in claim 1 further comprising: creating atleast one electronic file having information related to the forecast;accepting input parameters related to the forecast; updating the atleast one electronic file based on the input parameters; collectingrequired data related to the forecast model based on the at least oneupdated file; accessing a grid related to the forecast; mapping therequired data into the grid; and providing the grid to the forecastmodel.
 3. The method as in claim 2 wherein said collecting required datacomprises: generating a wind field and interpolating the wind field tocreate fort.22 data; generating grid data from a global bathymetrydatabase and a global shoreline database to create fort.14 data, thefort.14 data based on the grid data or a grid database; preparing tideboundary conditions and tidal potential, including fort.15 data, basedon a tidal database; creating the grid based on either the grid data orthe grid database; and providing the required data including the fort.22data, the fort.14 data, the fort.15 data, and the grid.
 4. The method asin claim 3 further comprising: receiving a selection of a regionassociated with the forecast; and retrieving the grid data associatedwith the region.
 5. The method as in claim 1 further comprising: (a)automatically determining an available number of computer processorsavailable for executing the forecast model, the forecast model having aforecast period; (b) automatically estimating the execution timerequired to execute the forecast model on the computer processors basedon the available number and the forecast period; (c) automaticallyexecuting an alternative procedure if the execution time is larger thanthe forecast period; and (d) automatically partitioning a domain of theforecasting model based on the available number of computer processors.6. The method as in claim 5 wherein the alternative procedure comprises:repeating steps (a), (b), and (c).
 7. The method as in claim 6 whereinthe alternative procedure comprises: waiting for a pre-selected amountof time; and repeating steps (a), (b), and (c).
 8. The method as inclaim 1 further comprising: estimating required computer storage spaceof a pre-selected execution of the forecast model; determining availablestorage space for a future execution of the forecast model by comparingthe estimated required storage space to available space in the computersystem; accessing additional storage space and providing the additionalstorage space to the forecasting model if the available storage spacedoes not accommodate the forecast model; if current spatial and temporaldata are available, providing needed data to the forecast model based onspatial and temporal interpolation of the current spatial and temporaldata; and if the current spatial and temporal data are not available,providing the needed data to the forecast model based on resulting datafrom previous model executions.
 9. The method as in claim 8 furthercomprising: providing the needed data to the forecast model based onresulting data from previous model executions for a maximum of twoiteration of the forecast model.
 10. A system for predicting tidalheights and currents using an automated forecast model comprising: aforecast model input creation processor using at least one file havingdata that are generic to input data required for the forecast model, andinput parameters to produce a grid having the input data required forthe forecast model; a tidal heights and currents prediction processorusing a forecast domain to produce at least one water cell and riverdischarge data associated with the at least one water cell including: ariver proximity processor automatically locating at least one water cellin the forecast domain, the forecast domain being coincident with atleast one river, if the at least one river is located within theforecast domain, or automatically locating the at least one water cellin the forecast domain having a predetermined water depth and being nearthe at least one river; a flow rate processor determining riverdischarge flow rate of the at least one water cell, the flow rateprocessor converting the flow rate into river discharge data; and aforecast model processor incorporating the at least one water cell andthe river discharge data into the forecast model; wherein the forecastmodel processor provides the grid, the at least one water cell, and theriver discharge data to the forecast model, the forecast model producinga forecast of tidal heights and currents, the forecast being stored on acomputer-readable medium.
 11. The system as in claim 10 wherein theforecast model input creation processor comprises: a generic fileprocessor populating the at least one file with information related tothe forecast, the generic file processor accepting the input parametersrelated to the forecast, the generic file processor updating the atleast one file based on the input parameters; a required data processorcollecting the required data related to the forecast model based on theat least one updated at least one file; and a grid processor accessingthe grid, the grid processor mapping the required data into the grid,the grid processor providing the grid to the forecast model processor.12. The system as in claim 11 wherein the required data processorcomprises: generating a wind field and interpolates the wind field tocreate fort.22 data; generating grid data from a global bathymetrydatabase and a global shoreline database; preparing tide boundaryconditions and tidal potential, including fort.15 data, based on a tidaldatabase; and creating a grid and fort.14 data based on either the griddata or a grid database.
 13. The system as in claim 12 furthercomprising an execution time optimization processor including: a CPUlocator automatically determining an available number of computerprocessors available for executing the forecast model; an execution timeprocessor automatically estimating the execution time required toexecute the forecast model on the computer processors based on theavailable number and the forecast period; an alternatives processorautomatically executing an alternative procedure if the execution timeis larger than the forecast period; a domain processor automaticallydecomposing a domain of the forecast model based on the availablenumber; and an input file processor automatically preparing input filesfor the forecast model based on the available number, wherein theforecast model processor: automatically initiates the forecast model onthe computer processors based on the input files, the forecast period,and the domain; automatically receives a forecast over the forecastperiod from the forecasting model; and automatically provides theforecast to a computer-readable medium.
 14. The system as in claim 10further comprising a reliability/stability processor including: astorage space processor estimating required storage space of apre-selected execution of the forecast model, the storage spaceprocessor determining available storage space for a future execution ofthe forecast model by comparing the estimated required storage space toavailable space in the computer system, the storage space processoraccessing additional storage space and providing the additional storagespace to the forecast model if the available storage space does notaccommodate the forecast model; an interpolator providing needed data tothe forecast model processor based on spatial and temporal interpolationof current data if current spatial and temporal data are available; anda previous model execution data processor providing the needed data tothe forecast model processor based on resulting data from previous modelexecutions for a maximum of two iterations of the forecast model if thecurrent spatial and temporal data are not available.
 15. A computerreadable medium for predicting tidal heights and currents using anautomated forecast model comprising computer code executing: accessingprocessing options; automatically locating at least one water cell andat least one river based on the processing options; determining a domainof the forecast model; if at least one river is located within thedomain, automatically locating the at least one water cell in thedomain, the at least one water cell being coincident with the at leastone river, if possible, or automatically locating the at least one watercell in the domain, the at least one water cell having predeterminedwater depths and being near the at least one river; determining riverdischarge flow data of the at least one water cell; automaticallyproviding the at least one water cell and the river discharge data tothe forecast model; automatically receiving a forecast from the forecastmodel, the forecast based on the at least one water cell and the riverdischarge data; and automatically providing the forecast to a computerreadable medium.
 16. The computer readable medium as in claim 15 furthercomprising: creating at least one file having information related to theforecast; accepting input parameters related to the forecast; updatingthe at least one file based on the input parameters; collecting requireddata related to the forecast model based on the at least one updatedfile; accessing a grid related to the forecast; mapping the requireddata into the grid; and providing the grid to the forecast model. 17.The computer readable medium as in claim 15 further comprising:automatically determining an available number of computer processorsavailable for executing the forecast model, the forecast model having aforecast period; automatically estimating the execution time required toexecute the forecast model on the computer processors based on theavailable number and the forecast period; automatically executing analternative procedure if the execution time is larger than the forecastperiod; automatically partitioning a domain of the forecasting modelbased on the available number; and automatically optimizing storagerequired for executing the forecast model based on the available number.18. The computer readable medium as in claim 15 further comprising:estimating required storage space of a pre-selected execution of theforecast model; determining available storage space for a futureexecution of the forecast model by comparing the estimated requiredstorage space to available space in a computer system; providingadditional storage space to the forecasting model if the availablestorage space does not accommodate the forecast model; if currentspatial and temporal data are available, providing needed data to theforecast model based on spatial and temporal interpolation of currentdata; and if the current spatial and temporal data are not available,providing the needed data to the forecast model based on resulting datafrom previous model executions for a maximum of two iterations of theforecast model.